Albany County residents receive free prescription drug discount cards
By: Dayana Perez Capital News 9 (Time Warner)
February 9, 2010
ALBANY, N.Y
"It's not trash; its not a coupon," said Albany County Legislator Lucille McKnight.
It's a prescription drug discount card and more than 28,000 of them have already been mailed out. County legislators say the card is free and provides discounts of up to 70 percent off any prescription medication.
"This is a great new plan for people who don't have prescription drug coverage. This is a plan from ProAct that will be sent out to everyone in Albany County," said Albany County Executive Michael Breslin.
The service is provided, at no cost to the city, through a partnership with a pharmacy benefit management company called ProAct. Legislators say there are no enrollment forms to fill out, no membership fees, and no income requirements. Each household in the county will receive one card. The card will provide discounts from 10 to 20 percent on brand name drugs and up to 70 percent on generic drugs.
"For those people who are in the donut hole and need money to buy their prescription drugs, this is a great program," Breslin said.
"I think it's pretty amazing," said Albany County resident Kathy Murray. "Glad to hear that they are doing something to help people out because it's just ridiculous. The amount of money people spend on medication is outrageous."
The discount card can be used at any local pharmacy as well as in more than 56, 000 pharmacies nationwide. The card can also be used for discounts on pet medications.